A COURSE on how to respond to emergency driving situations is becoming one of the most popular subjects at many Canadian universities and colleges this aca- demic year. The Labatt’s Road Scholarship is an anti-drinking and driving program that was developed in response to national research which indicated that if the drink- ing and driving factor was elimi- nated today, over 90 per cent of all traffic accidents and about 75 per cent of fatalities would still occur. The program, now in its third year, has helped an estimated 9,000 young drivers im- prove their driving skills. “Just having a driver’s licence is simply not good enough any more,’’ says the course’s chief in- structor Gary Magwood, a former Canadian racing champion. **Driver training and testing has not substantially changed in over a generation while, at the same time, there have been considerable AUTOMOTIVES Crash course In emergency driving skills offered technical advancements in automobile performance, road engineering, tires and vehicle safe- ty devices. Despite these im- provements, the accident toll con- tinues to climb, so it’s time we addressed the issue of training the person behind the wheel."’ The course, which is free of charge, includes a two hour semi- nar and a_ half-day, hands-on training in emergency driving sit- uations for 86 students — the maximum number that can be trained in a controlled situation over a weekend. The course rein- forces the complicated nature of driving today, and the importance of driving without impairment. It will be offered at Capilano College on Jan, 12 and 13. The driving sessions take place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13 at Capilano College parking lot number 2, which will be tem- porarily converted to a skid pad. ’ The driving sessions are at 8 a.m. and ft p.m. on both days. The program is underwritten by Labatt Breweries of Canada and Imperial Oil Limited, and co- sponsored by Ford Motor Com- pany of Canada Ltd. Ford sup- plies the vehicles driven by the students, and {mperia! Oil, a new corporate supporter of the driving course this year, provides Esso fuels and lubricants. In addition to universities and colleges, the program is being of- fered as a pilot project to police forces and companies that have a number of fleet vehicles. The Labatt's Road Scholarship course curriculum was developed by Gary Magwood, of Lakefield Ont., and noted Canadian automotive writer, Jim Kenzie of Milton, Ont. In addition to overall responsibility for the in- structional part of the program across Canada, Magwood also directs the driver training team in Ontario. The program’s senior instructor in Western Canada is Andy Field of Coquitlam, B.C. Snow plays havoc on roads IF A recent call we received from one of our national news magazines is any in- dication, some people in Eastern Canada are rather enjoying our wicked West Coast winter. In a way you can’t blame them — they usually have to endure all the crowing about our balmy weather, so for them, stories about driving chaos in the Lower Mainland rates as one of those ‘‘man bites dog’’ stories. Locally, our weather has been the top news story and the media have often used ICBC’s daily Dial-A-Claim statistics as a barometer to measure the severity of the situation. For the record, from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2, Dial-A- Claim operators handied 17,989 calls which is a 25 per cent in- crease over the same period a year Ken Hardie INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTOTOPIC ago. With an increase {ike that, many reporters have been asking what will happen to premiums for B.C. motorists, especiaily those making claims. Fortunately, many of the mis- haps have resulted in relatively minor damages and few injuries. While any increase in claims costs er-benders will certainly not have the same impact as would even a quarter the number of accidents resulting in serious injuries. Premiums for 1991 were an- nounced last November and will not change as a result of the cur- rent jump in claims. For those making claims, the situation is the same as at any other time. Motorists found to be up to 25 per cent responsible for causing an accident will not face any loss of their Ctaim-Rated Scale discount. Those over 25 per cent responsible will lose three discount levels. However, if the mishap has resulted in only minor damages, the at-fault motorist can opt to reimburse ICBC and maintain the discount. If you need more information on this option call your adjuster, but preferably after the current rush of claims has Friday, January 11, 1991 — North Shore News - #7 Photo submitted A LABATT'S Road Scholarship student sends py!ons flying dur- ing the braking techniques section of the course. ATO BEAT OUR iPRICES A ‘Ti beat your best j tire deal by at le can potentially affect premiums, this current spate of fend- subsided. 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